Stonecoat: AIR, #0

By Amanda Booloodian

Is this really my life?

From the moment college catalogs started arriving, my mother pushed me towards a degree in accounting. There are worse careers in the world, so after school, I landed a job at a firm with an eye on taking classes to become a CPA. Once Gran and I find a person straight out of mythology, I realize there's more to this world than I ever imagined.

While at work, a call from Gran had me rushing around the countryside. I was ready to stop for the day when a whirlpool of bright light opened, and we come face to face with a giant stone person. Before I truly have time to hyperventilate, Gran is introducing herself and leading it back to my car. Our rocky friend is in trouble, and when government agents start showing up, Gran and I are in hot water ourselves.

Can we avoid being thrown in prison long enough to help Gran's new companion?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Walton INK
• Release date: Jun 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9780997335361

Book preview

Chapter

One

The monotonous click click click of the too-old keyboards might as well be a company jingle. Keying in thousands of numbers into a spreadsheet wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I became an accountant. Mom called it paying my dues, but I think I just ended up in a crappy job. Occasionally, I would get the chance to analyze the data.

How sad is it that I spent my work hours wishing to analyze data?

It's a job, though. Not glamorous or exciting, but hey, at least you're sure to have nightmares with a clickity clack sound in the background. Oh, and you'll be able to pay the bills.

Two people walked by my cubicle and I paused long enough to watch them. Aside from lunch, it was sure to be the highlight of my day.

My phone rang, which was a welcoming change.

This is Cassandra Heidrich, with Simpson, Stone, and-

Cassie, this is your grandmother.

Hi, Gran, I'm glad you called. Mom mentioned-

Sorry, sugar, there's no time. I need you to pick me up.

Um, I'm at work right now.

It's an emergency.

I sat up straighter and came out of the work-related stupor to which I had regressed. Is everything okay? What happened?

No time to explain. Get on over here.

Where are you?

Home, and I'll expect you here in five minutes.

My heart began to beat faster. Ever since her third husband passed away, she'd been living alone in a two-story house that was far too big for one person.

Are you hurt? Should I call 911?

What you need to do is get over here, Gran said.

Right, I'm on my way.

Gran hung up and I snatched my purse from my desk drawer, paused for two seconds to tell my boss I had a family emergency, and then ran out of the building.

There was no way to make it to Gran's in five minutes, but I damn well tried. Our town wasn't exactly large, but it was a college town. For the next three weeks, we were stuck with idiots who walked in front of cars and created more traffic than necessary. Since I had attended school here for most of my college years and had been one of those idiots, I knew how to avoid the worst of them.

Stop signs became more of a suggestion than a rule as I flew through town. Keeping an eye out for the police wasn't easy, but I was ready to explain how that light really had been green when I entered the intersection, or claim my accelerator stuck. Generally, the lies would come easier, but my brain couldn't spare extra thought. Right then, it was busy trying to shove down different scenarios of finding Gran injured. The trouble was, when I knocked one thought out of the way, another took its place. Each one was worse than the previous.

When I screeched to a stop in her driveway, risking whiplash or house damage with my sudden stop, I was pretty proud of myself for not being in tears. However, the shaking in my hands gave me away.

Tearing out of the car, I ran up the steps and came face to face with Gran leaving the house.

Gran, are you okay? I asked while looking her over. No blood, no bruises, and not a rumple in her shirt.

I'm not hurt, I'm in a hurry, Gran said. You look like you've seen a ghost. Now give me a hug and let's scoot on out of here.

After hugging her a bit more tightly than I normally would, I tried to calm my nerves.

So, what's the emergency? I asked, trying to make the comment passive to hide my panic over her expected condition.

I'll explain on the way, Gran said as we got into the car.

I'm going to need to know where we're going to get us there.

We're headin' south.

I need more than that to go on.

Gran was quiet for a moment. Go towards Mares County, whichever way is fastest.

Once we were making good time on the highway, Gran appeared more at ease.

You mentioned something about your mother, Gran said.

Oh, yeah, I said, she thought we should get together sometime soon. Maybe have dinner at your place.

Gran sighed. You mean she wants to snoop around.

I think she's worried about you. It was a sentiment that I shared.

Does she want to bring that husband of hers?

Probably, but she didn't say one way or the other.

That man is the dullest person I've ever met. I'll never understand why your mother ended up with him.

Bob was definitely not the most exciting person around, but he was nice and didn't pry. Since Mom married him before I was out of high school, these were essential qualities, so I didn't say anything in response.

Did she tell you she wants me to move in with her? Gran asked.

No, I lied. Mom had mentioned it several times, usually accompanied by phrases like, 'she's getting on in years,' or 'she needs to learn to ask for help.' Personally, I didn't think Gran needed any help. I worried about her, sure, but Gran was always on the go with friends and she's active. Mom tried to make it sound like Gran was getting too old to be on her own.

Humph, Gran said. You'd think that a family full of psychics would be better at lyin’.

I'm not a psychic, Gran, and Mom tries to forget about the whole thing.

She wasn't always that way. Gran looked out the window and sounding a bit further away. There was a time when I thought she'd outpace me.

I've never seen that side of her.

It was a long time ago. Gran seemed to come out of her reverie. And you are going to outstrip us all.

I'm a Reader, Gran, not a psychic.

I know very well what you are, young lady, and I know you've stopped using your gifts.

Once again, I didn't say anything. Gran was right. I hadn't read the Path in ages.

It's none of my business, Gran said. No, that's wrong. You’re my granddaughter, so it is my business. You had one bad experience, but you shouldn't be hiding away.

My fiancé convinced me and everyone we knew that I was crazy and tried to have me committed. I gripped the steering wheel hard. I hadn't thought of Zander in a month and I didn't appreciate the reminder. That's more than a bad experience.

I suppose, Gran said, not sounding remotely convinced, but if you don't open yourself up to it again, it's not going to be there when you need it. Your mother is a prime example.

I let out an exasperated breath and rubbed my head.

You're okay, though, Gran said after sitting quietly for a while. I know you'll be fine.

This was the most aggravating part of my grandmother. She'd say something, sounding like she knew exactly what would happen. If it were a premonition, it would happen. She'd never been wrong. If I wanted to know if it was a prediction of the future or Gran making an assumption, I'd have to ask.

Sometimes, it was better not to know.

What are we doing out here, Gran? I asked, desperate to change the subject.

We're pickin’ someone up.

My frustration levels rose, but I tried to keep my voice level. How is that an emergency?

If we don't pick them up the moment they arrive, bad things are going to happen.

I shifted in my seat, frustration leaking out. What kind of bad things?

Turn off the highway here, make a left, then a right at the sign.

I waited for more, but Gran remained focused on the road. Gran? The bad things?

What? Oh, the bad. It'll be the end of the world as we know it.

I rolled my eyes at her dramatics. You're saying that if we don't pick up this friend of yours that the world is going to end?

Don't be so dramatic.

My mouth dropped open to protest, but I never got anything out.

The world isn't going to end, Gran said. It's going to change. That's why I said the end of the world as we know it.

I closed my mouth and shook